I Host/Review For:

CelebrateLit Blog Tour Review: The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Book title: The ReturnAuthor: Suzanne Woods FisherRelease date: Sept 1, 2017Genre: AmishIn a wild country, the true cost of love may be more than they can bear
Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family’s rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans—but then she never had to. Not until the night she’s taken captive in a surprise Indian raid. Facing brutality and hardship, Betsy finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the feelings she’s developing for a native man who encourages her to see God in all circumstances.

Greatly anguished by Betsy’s captivity, Hans turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort. She responds eagerly, overlooking troubling signs of Hans’s hunger for revenge. But if Betsy is ever restored to the Amish, will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?

Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of prerevolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.My ThoughtsIf you want a book that is filled with timeless plot lines, amazing characters, and rich historical detail, then I suggest you look at the truly talented, Suzanne Woods Fisher’s books. She has been a long time favorite of mine, and each book she writes brings something different and unique to the table for the reader. This book, The Return, is her third book in the Amish Beginnings novels and I am just as fascinated by it as I was the first two. She is a wonderfully talented author and never fails to hook me into the story instantly!

When we think of Amish, we think simple and easy life. And that, for the most part now a days, is true. But, Ms. Fisher takes the readers on a journey to long ago, when the Amish was first settling into the heart of Lancaster County, Pennyslvania and the Indians weren’t happy. Betsy, and all she had to endure from the Indians, was a wonderfully chiseled character. My heart felt for her so many times! I can’t imagine leaving the one I loved behind for anything and she had to go through that hardship, when she had to leave Hans, the man she was intended to be with, and live among the Indians. And sweet, sweet Caleb. I can’t forget him! Oh how he stole my heart!

I definitely want to go on with my review but fear spoiling this third book for you! I will stop there and tell you that if you want an Amish book filled with the rich characters, and emotional feels, then this is a book you don’t want to miss. I do recommend reading the books in order as I’m stickler for that often, but this book is easily read as a stand alone. Ms. Fisher adds faith, hope and forgiveness, love and heartache in this tender new Amish novel. It is beautifully written and definitely gets a 5 star hats off from me! Well done, Ms. Fisher!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing and The Newcomer in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Three Sisters’ Garden: Corn, Squash & Beans!
Corn was a new food to the immigrants to the New World, introduced to them by Native Americans. Soon, it became an essential part of their daily diet, in one form or another. Growing it brought yet another new discovery: companion planting in the form of the Three Sisters’ Garden.
According to Iroquois legend, corn, squash and beans were three inseparable sisters who only grew and thrived together. 18th century Native Americans wouldn’t have understood the science behind why companion planting worked, but they knew it did. Beans, like all legumes, have bacteria living on their roots that help them absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it to a form that plants can use. Corn, which requires a lot of nitrogen to grow, benefits from the legumes and provides a pole support for the beans to climb. Low growing squash leaves shade the soil and prevent weed growth. Their sharp and prickly leaves deter pests. This tradition, of planting corn, beans and squash in the same mounds, became a sustainable system to provide long-term soil fertility among Native American tribes that farmed.
The wisdom of planting Three Sisters’ Garden was adopted by the immigrants, including our own Betsy Zook from The Return. Betsy learned of the technique while a captive among a tribe of Indians and later, after she had been returned to the Amish, shared her knowledge with Anna and Bairn.
Have you ever considered growing a Three Sisters’ garden? All you need is the right kind of seeds, a mound of dirt in a sunny spot, and to not forget to water. Mother Nature will do the rest.
Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling, award-winning author of novels about the Old Order Amish. Her interest in the Plain People began with her grandfather, who was raised as a Dunkard (German Baptist) on a farm in Pennsylvania. Suzanne loves to connect with readers! You can find her on-line at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

*Images courtesy of Dream Home Improvement and Technology Exchange Lab